Screen assembly for vibratory separator

ABSTRACT

A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly including screening material with opposed spaced-apart sides including a first side and a second side, a side mount on each of the opposed spaced-apart sides, each side of the opposed spaced-apart sides having an edge portion, and each edge portion held within a side mount; a vibratory separator with such a screen assembly; and methods of their use.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. Nos.09/517,212 filed Mar. 2, 2000; 10/037,474 filed Oct. 19, 2001; and10/087,025 filed Oct. 19, 2001; and 09/454,722 filed Dec. 04, 1999—allof which are incorporated fully herein for all purposes. This is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/057,755 filed Jan.23, 2002 which is a continuation-in-part of two U.S. application Ser.Nos. 10/050,690 filed Jan. 16, 2002 and 10/053,350 filed Jan. 16,2002—all of which applications are incorporated fully herein for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field Of The Invention

[0003] This invention is directed to screen assemblies for vibratoryseparators; to methods for making them; and, in certain aspect to screenassemblies for use in shale shakers for treating drilling fluids.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] The prior art discloses a wide variety of screens and screenassemblies for use in vibratory separators and shale shakers and methodsfor making screen assemblies.

[0006] There has long been a need, recognized by the present inventor,for a screen assembly with screening material mountable on a separatoror shaker with an upwardly-projecting mounting structure. There has longbeen a need for a screen assembly which has mounting structure thatsecurely holds screening material. There has long been a need recognizedby the present inventors for such screen assemblies with effective edgeseals along screen assembly edges that interface with interior portionsof a basket or screen holding structure.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0007] The present invention, in at least certain embodiments provides ascreen assembly which has one, two, three or more layers of screeningmaterial with opposed sides thereof secured within side mounts. A sealstructure is secured on an exterior side of the side mounts for sealinga screen-assembly/basket interface. The side mounts include a piece ofmaterial folded or bent over on itself to grasp between parts thereof anedge portion of the screening material.

[0008] In certain aspects the screening material includes two or morelayers glued together as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,345 and U.S.application Ser. Nos. 09/517,212 filed Mar. 2, 2000; 10/037,474 filedOct. 19, 2001; 09/454,722 filed Dec. 04, 1999 and 10/087,025 filed Oct.19, 200; all co-owned with the present invention and fully incorporatedherein for all purposes. In certain aspects the glue used is hot meltglue.

[0009] In certain aspects the side mounts include a hollow elongatedmember with initially open ends which are, optionally, sealed with anysuitable sealing material or structure. In one aspect hot melt glue isused to seal these end openings. In other aspects these ends are sealedwith plugs (e.g. of wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass, composite); twopart acrylic filler; two-part epoxy filler; thermoplastic material;thermosetting material; moisture cure urethane or PUR.

[0010] The present invention discloses, in at least certain aspects,methods for making screen assemblies for vibratory separators and shaleshakers, the method including applying glue in a glue pattern to atleast one layer of screening material useful for screening fluidintroduced to a vibratory separator or shale shaker, the applying doneby powered moving mechanical glue application apparatus; and, in oneaspect, the glue is heated moisture-curing hot melt glue. Such methodsmay also include applying moisture to glue in a glue pattern followingapplication of moisture-curing hot melt glue to layer(s) of screeningmaterial.

[0011] The present invention discloses, in certain embodiments, a screenfor vibrating screen apparatus. The screen has one or more upper layersof screen, screen cloth, and/or mesh. The layer or layers may be mountedon frame apparatus which may include a solid side support on each of twospaced apart sides of the layer(s), or a full four sided screen frame,with or without one or more interior crossmembers such as tubular rodsor hollow tubular members extending between the sides. A strip supportor strips of support material (e.g. flat steel) may be used beneathscreen layer(s). In some aspects, hookstrips are used on opposed sidesor ends of a screen made by a method according to the present inventionso that it can be mounted in a shaker or other separator apparatus.Known hookstrips may be used with screen assemblies according to thepresent invention.

[0012] The present invention provides, in at least certain aspects, ashale shaker or vibratory separator with one or more screens or screenassemblies as disclosed herein; and methods of making such screens. Thepresent invention, in one embodiment includes a shale shaker with aframe; a “basket” or screen mounting apparatus; screen mountingstructure with upwardly-directed projection(s) receivable incorresponding holes of a screen assembly; one or more screens or screenassemblies according to the present invention as described above andbelow; and basket vibrating apparatus. The present invention, in oneembodiment includes a shale shaker with a frame; a “basket” or screenmounting apparatus in or on the frame with a bed, tray or deck for ascreen assembly or screen assemblies therein; pin(s), projections,and/or finger(s) projecting up from the bed, tray or deck; one or morescreen assemblies according to the present invention with a hole (orholes) corresponding to the pin(s), projections, and/or finger(s) of thedeck, bed or tray; the one or more screen assemblies mounted to thebasket with the pin(s), projections, and/or finger(s) projecting intothe corresponding hole or holes of the screen assembly or screenassemblies according to the present invention; basket vibratingapparatus; and a collection tank or receptacle below the basket. In oneparticular aspect such a shale shaker treats drilling fluid with drilledcuttings, debris, etc. entrained therein. With such a shale shaker, thepin(s), projections, and/or finger(s) of the deck, bed or tray can beformed integrally of the deck, bed or tray; or the pin(s) and/orfinger(s) may be part of strips, bars, wear strips or elongated membersthat are releasably connectable to the deck, bed or tray. In oneparticular aspect, such pin(s) and/or finger(s) are on separate wearstrips that are releasably connected to a shaker tray and which, inposition thereon, provide an upward force that forces a screen assemblythereabove upwardly, facilitating the maintenance in position of thescreen assembly. Wear strips that are made in an originally upwardlybowed configuration can provide such an upward force or an initiallyflat wear strip that is installed so that it bows slightly upwardly canprovide such a force.

[0013] It is, therefore, an object of at least certain preferredembodiments of the present invention to provide:

[0014] New, useful, unique, efficient, non-obvious screen assemblies forvibratory separators and shale shakers and methods for making suchscreen assemblies;

[0015] Such screen assemblies with side mounts that hold edges ofscreening material and/or with one or more openings for receivingprojection(s) of a screen mounting structure or apparatus of a vibratoryseparator or shale shaker;

[0016] Such screen assemblies with such side mounts which are hollow andhave two sealed ends;

[0017] Such screen assemblies with side edge seals for sealing ascreen/basket interface;

[0018] Such screen assemblies whose screening material layers areflexible and which, in certain aspects, can be folded or rolled into aroll of generally cylindrical shape; and/or

[0019] New, useful, unique, efficient, non-obvious shale shakers withone or more upwardly projecting members on the shaker's deck, bed ortray for insertion into corresponding hole(s) on a screen assemblysupport of a screen assembly to be mounted on the shaker.

[0020] The present invention recognizes and addresses thepreviously-mentioned problems and long-felt needs and provides asolution to those problems and a satisfactory meeting of those needs inits various possible embodiments and equivalents thereof. To one ofskill in this art who has the benefits of this invention's realizations,teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantageswill be appreciated from the following description of preferredembodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in thesedescriptions is not intended to thwart this patent's object to claimthis invention no matter how others may later disguise it by variationsin form or additions of further improvements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] A more particular description of certain embodiments of theinvention may be had by references to the embodiments which are shown inthe drawings which form a part of this specification.

[0022]FIG. 1A is a top plan view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention. FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the screen assembly ofFIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is an end view of the screen assembly of FIG. 1A. FIG.1D is an enlargement of a side mount of the screen assembly of FIG. 1A.

[0023]FIG. 2 is an end view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a top view of a screen material combination according tothe present invention.

[0025]FIG. 4A is a top view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention. FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the screen assembly ofFIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is an end view of the screen assembly of FIG. 4A. FIG.4D is a side view of the screen assembly of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4E is anenlargement of a side mount structure of the screen assembly as shown inFIG. 4C. FIG. 4F is a top view of the screen assembly of FIG. 4A in arolled-up configuration.

[0026] FIGS. 5A-5D are views of glue patterns applied by a systemaccording to the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 6 is a top view and FIG. 7 is a top view, partially cut awayof screen assemblies according to the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a top view of a screen assembly component according tothe present invention.

[0029]FIG. 9A is an end view of a rolled up screen component e.g. likethe screen component of FIG. 8. FIG. 9B is an end view of a rolled upscreen component e.g. like the screen component of FIG. 8.

[0030]FIG. 10A is a top view of a substrate for glue for a screenassembly according to the present invention. FIG. 10B is a top view thatshows the substrate of FIG. 10A with a glue pattern according to thepresent invention deposited thereon. FIG. 10C shows the glue pattern ofFIG. 10B removed from the substrate of FIG. 10A. FIG. 10D is an end viewthat shows the glue pattern of FIG. 10C in a roll.

[0031]FIG. 11A is a side view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention. FIG. 11B is a side view of a screen assemblyaccording to the present invention. FIG. 11C is a side view of a screenassembly according to the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 12 is a side view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention.

[0033] FIGS. 13-15 are perspective views of screen mounts according tothe present invention.

[0034]FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views of seals according to thepresent invention.

[0035]FIG. 18A is a top view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention. FIG. 18B is a bottom view of the screen assembly ofFIG. 18A. FIG. 18C is an end view of one end of the screen assembly ofFIG. 18A (and the opposing end is identical to that of FIG. 18C). FIG.18D is a side view of one side of the screen assembly of FIG. 18A (andthe opposing side is identical to that of FIG. 18C). FIG. 18E is apartial bottom perspective view of the screen assembly of 18A. FIG. 18Fis a partial bottom view of the screen assembly of FIG. 18A.

[0036]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a screen assembly mountingstructure for a shale shaker according to the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 20A is a top view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention. FIG. 20B is an end view, FIG. 20C is a side view andFIG. 20D is a bottom view of the screen assembly of FIG. 20A. FIG. 20Eis a top view of possible hole shapes according to the present inventionfor the screen assembly of FIG. 20A.

[0038]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a screen assembly mountingstructure for a shale shaker according to the present invention.

[0039]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a screen assembly mountingstructure for a shale shaker according to the present invention.

[0040]FIG. 23A is a top view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention. FIG. 23B is an end view, FIG. 23C is a side view andFIG. 23D is a bottom view of the screen assembly of FIG. 23A.

[0041]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a screen assembly mountingstructure for a shale shaker according to the present invention.

[0042] FIGS. 25A-F and 25H are side schematic views of shale shakersaccording to the present invention. FIG. 25G is a side view of a screenassembly for the shale shaker of FIG. 25H.

[0043]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a shale shaker according to thepresent invention.

[0044]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a shale shaker according to thepresent invention.

[0045]FIG. 28 is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention.

[0046]FIG. 29A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 29B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 29A.

[0047]FIG. 30A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 30B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 30A.

[0048]FIG. 31A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 31B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 31A.

[0049]FIG. 32A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 32B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 32A. FIG.32C is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the wear strip ofFIG. 32A. FIGS. 32D and 32E are top views of wear strips according tothe present invention.

[0050]FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a screen assembly mountingstructure for a shale shaker according to the present invention.

[0051]FIG. 34A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 34B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 34A.

[0052]FIG. 35A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 35B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 35A.

[0053]FIG. 36A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 36B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 36A.

[0054]FIG. 37A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 37B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 37A.

[0055]FIG. 38A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 38B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 38A.

[0056]FIG. 39A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 39B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 39A.

[0057]FIG. 40A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 40B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 40A.

[0058]FIG. 41A is a top view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention. FIG. 41B is a side view of the wear strip of FIG. 41A.

[0059]FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a screen assembly mountingstructure for a shale shaker according to the present invention.

[0060]FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a screen assembly mountingstructure for a shale shaker according to the present invention.

[0061]FIG. 44 is a bottom view of a wear strip of FIG. 43.

[0062]FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a screen assembly mountingstructure for a shale shaker according to the present invention.

[0063]FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a screen assembly mountingstructure for a shale shaker according to the present invention.

[0064]FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a screen assembly mountingstructure for a shale shaker according to the present invention.

[0065]FIG. 48 is a bottom view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention.

[0066]FIG. 49A is a perspective view of the upstanding member forembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 49B is a perspective view ofthe hole for embodiments of the present invention.

[0067]FIG. 50A is a top view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention. FIG. 50B is a side cross-section view of the screenassembly of FIG. 50A.

[0068]FIG. 50C is a top view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention. FIG. 50D is a side cross-section view of the screenassembly of FIG. 50C.

[0069]FIG. 50E is a top view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention. FIG. 50F is a side cross-section view of the screenassembly of FIG. 50E.

[0070]FIG. 50G is a top view of a screen assembly according to thepresent invention.

[0071]FIG. 51 is a side view of a wear strip according to the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS PREFERRED AT THE TIME OF FILING FOR THISPATENT

[0072] FIGS. 1A-1D show a screen assembly 10 according to the presentinvention which has layers 12 of screening material and side mounts 14.In one particular aspect there are three layers 12 of stainless steelscreening material with a lowermost layer with mesh of 20×20, a middlelayer of 105×64 mesh, and a top layer of 170×105 mesh; and these layersare glued together with hot melt glue applied in the diamond patternshown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Of course it is within the scope of thisinvention for the layers 12 to be any known screening material withlayers bonded, connected, fused, sintered, glued together, or sewntogether in any known manner and the screening material may be made ofany known material used for such screen assemblies.

[0073] In certain aspects, the layers 12 of screening material are gluedtogether with cured hot melt glue producing glued-together screeningmaterial that is flexible and a screen assembly according to the presentinvention with such material can be folded on itself or rolled up.

[0074]FIG. 3 shows an alternative pattern P for glue applied to one ormore of the layers 12.

[0075] Each side mount 14 has a bottom part 21, a side part 22, a toppart 23, a top lip 24, and a top lip 25. The layers 12 pass between andare secured between the bottom part 21 and the top lip 24. An end of thelayers 12 is held between opposed parts 25 a and 25 b of the top lip 25.The top lip 24 may, optionally, be adhesively secured together and/orwelded to the bottom part 21 with multiple spaced-apart welds 26 alongthe length of the side amounts 14. Similar adhesive material and/orwelds may be, optionally, used along the top lip 25. In other aspects,the welds 26 are deleted or are supplemented with glued areas along themounts 14. Alternatively, or in addition, inwardly projecting teeth orhumps on the top lip 24 and/or bottom part 21 may be used to holdscreening material. The bottom part 21 has a plurality of spaced-apartholes 29 for receiving corresponding upwardly-directed projections of ascreen mounting structure or apparatus of a shale shaker or vibratoryseparator. Optionally ends 16 of the side mounts 14 are sealed with anysuitable seal material or seal structure. As shown in FIG. 1D, an amountof hot melt glue 27 has been applied over the end opening 16 and allowedto set. Optionally, such material may encapsulate the edge of screeningmaterial layers 12. In certain aspects the side mounts are made ofplastic, epoxy, acrylic, steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, composite,aluminum, aluminum alloy, zinc, zinc alloy, brass or bronze. Optionallythe top part 23 is deleted and a generally “L” shaped side mount isprovided and it is within the scope of this invention to provide such aside mount with any seal or handling apparatus described herein.

[0076] A plurality of screws 31 secure a seal member 30 to the side part22. In one aspect the seal member 30 is (as may be the case for any sealor seal member according to the present invention) made of neoprene, butit may be made of nitrile rubber, rubber, plastic, gasket material,polyurethane, or any suitable seal material. The seal member 30 has anupper portion 32 of generally circular cross-section (but, according tothe present invention, this cross-section may be any desired shape,including, but not limited to, square, oval, and rectangular).Optionally, the upper portion 32 is hollow and, e.g. may have a space 33of a generally circular (or of any desired shape) cross-section. Anelongated part 34 of the seal member 30 extends down from the upperportion 32. The seal member 30 is, in one aspect, positioned so thatwhen the screen assembly 10 is in place on a shale shaker or vibratoryseparator, the seal member 30 is trapped between the screen assembly 10and the side wall of a basket or other screen holding structure. Inanother aspect the seal member 30 is positioned so that the upperportion 32 is above a top edge of the top lip 25. The seal member 30 maybe adhesively secured to a side mount.

[0077]FIG. 2 shows a screen assembly 40 according to the presentinvention which has side mounts 44 (like the side mounts 14, FIG. 1D);one or more layers 42 of screening material (like the layer or layers 12of the screen assembly 10); and one, two, three or more layer(s) 46 ofridged or undulating screening material on and/or connected to thelayer(s) 42. The screening material layer(s) 46 may be any knownundulating or ridged screening material, including, but not limited to,that disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,450,345; 5,868,929; 5,720,881;5,958,236; 5,876,552; 5,636,749; 5,417,858; 5,417,793; 5,417,859; and5,944,993, all fully incorporated herein fully for all purposes. In thescreen assembly 40 a portion of the layers 46 may pass with the layer(s)42 between the bottom part and lower lip of the side mounts 44 and, ifdesired, into the top lip. Alternatively only the layer(s) 42 aresecured within the side mounts 44.

[0078] FIGS. 4A-4F show a screen assembly 50 according to the presentinvention which has glued-together layers 51 of screening material whoseside edges 52 are secured in side mounts 60. Glue in a pattern 53extends across the surfaces of the layers 51 and has a different patternthan that of the layers 51.

[0079] Each side mount 60 has a seal 54 secured thereon with plasticrivets 55. The seal 54 is like the seal member 30 described above. Theside mounts 60 are like the side mounts 14, described above, but edges61 of the layers 51 do not extend up into an uppermost lip 62 of theside mounts 60. Instead, these edges 61 are folded as shown within theside mounts.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 4F, unlike the prior art screens with perforatedplates, the screen assembly 50 (and any other screen assembly accordingto the present invention which has layers of screening material gluedtogether with hot melt glue or similar glue) is flexible enough to foldit or to roll it up into a roll

[0081] Alternatively, the screen assembly 50 may be folded, e.g. foldedin half, thirds or fourths. It is within the scope of this invention todelete the side mounts 60 and substitute for them any known hookstrip orother tubular or screen mounting edge structure.

[0082] It is within the scope of the present invention to securetogether the layers 51 (or any layers of any screen assembly accordingto the present invention) with plastic, including, but not limited to,any known plastic, thermoplastic, polypropylene, or nylon used to securescreening material layers together. The use of such material that doesnot result in a screen flexible as are those made with hot melt glue orits equivalents will result in a screen assembly that cannot be rolledup like the screen assembly 50 as shown in FIG. 4F.

[0083] The side mounts 60 and screen material layers therein may bewelded, e.g. with resistance welds, like the welds 26 described above.The side mounts 60 each have a series of spaced apart openings 64 intowhich project teeth, fingers, or projecting members of a shale shakerscreen assembly mounting apparatus. The ends of side mounts 60 may befilled, as are the side mounts 14 described above, with PUR or othersuitable filler, foam, and/or sealing material, e.g. to a thickness ofbetween one-half to three-fourths inches thick. Alternatively the entireside mount is filled.

[0084] FIGS. 5A-5D show possible glue patterns that may be applied bysystems according to the present invention (including, systems asdisclosed in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 09/517,212 filed Mar. 2, 2000;10/037,474 filed Oct. 19, 2001; 09/454,722 filed Dec. 04, 1999 and10/087,025 filed Oct. 19, 2001). These patterns can be achieved byappropriate control of rate of movement of the screen or mesh and/or bythe rate and/or direction of travel of glue dispensing nozzle(s). InFIGS. 5A-5D, angle measurements are in degrees (either “°” or “deg”),length measurements are in inches (“inches” or “in” or a number, e.g.FIG. 17A “1.38” is 1.38 inches) and area measurements (“sq. in.”) are insquare inches.

[0085]FIG. 6 shows a screen 90 produced with any of the systemsdisclosed in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 09/517,212 filed Mar. 2, 2000;10/037,474 filed Oct. 19, 2001; 09/454722, filed Dec. 04, 1999 and10/087,025 filed Oct. 19, 2001). An optional frame 90 a is used aroundthe screen 190. FIG. 7 shows a screen 92 with a glue layer 93 accordingto the present invention produced with any of the systems disclosed inU.S. application Ser. Nos. 09/517,212 filed Mar. 2, 2000; 10/037,474filed Oct. 19, 2001; 09/454,722 filed Dec. 04, 1999 and 10/087,025 filedOct. 19, 2001). The screen 92 is like the screens disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,575,421 (incorporated fully herein for all purposes), but madewith a system according to the present invention and by a methodaccording to the present invention. The screen 92 has three layers ofmesh or screening material 56, 57 and 58 and a lower perforated plate54. Any of the layers of mesh may be deleted and the glue 93 may beapplied on top of any of the layers. In one aspect the plate 54 isdeleted. In one aspect the plate 54 is deleted and any other support isused. The screen 90 is like a screen disclosed in U.S. Pat. Des. 366,040(incorporated fully herein for all purposes) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,159(incorporated fully herein for all purposes).

[0086]FIG. 8 shows a glue/substrate combination 1450 with a papersubstrate 1452 and a glue pattern 1454 deposited thereon (e.g. by anyapparatus and by any method disclosed herein, by hand, or by anysuitable machine or apparatus; using any glue suitable for use in ascreen assembly for a vibratory separator). Alternatively the patternmay be any desired pattern including any pattern disclosed herein, withor without edges and/or with or without one or more shear lines of glue.

[0087]FIG. 9A illustrates a roll 1451 of the glue/substrate combination1450 of FIG. 8. As shown the roll is rolled with the substrate on theroll's exterior and the glue pattern disposed internally of the roll;but it is within the scope of this invention for the position of thesecomponents to be reversed (as is true of any roll of material accordingto the present invention), e.g. as shown in FIG. 9B. Such a roll (andany roll of material described herein) may be unrolled for subsequentuse. In certain aspects, as needed, such a roll of material may beheated to facilitate its unrolling.

[0088]FIG. 10A illustrates a piece of release liner material 1462 (orwax paper or waxed cardboard) to which a glue pattern is to be applied.FIG. 10B shows a resulting glue pattern 1464 applied to the releaseliner material 1462. FIG. 10C shows the resulting layer of glue pattern1464 after it has been separated from the substrate of release linermaterial 1462. The layer of glue pattern 1462 may be used flat as shownin FIG. 10C; or as shown in FIG. 10D it can be rolled into a roll 1461for further future use.

[0089]FIG. 11A shows a screen assembly 1470 according to the presentinvention with a glue pattern 1474 according to the present inventionthat has been separated from a substrate to which it was previouslyapplied. The glue pattern 1474 has been applied onto a layer (or layers)of screening material 1473. According to the present invention the gluepattern 1474 (any glue pattern according to the present invention) maybe pressed onto and/or into the screening material 1473 and/or heat maybe applied to the combination of glue pattern and screen layer to fuseand/or connect the two together and/or to impregnate the screeningmaterial 1473 with some or all of the glue pattern 1474. The screeningmaterial 1473 may be any screen, screens, mesh, or meshes, or anycombination thereof. The glue pattern and screen layer(s) may be pressedtogether in any suitable manner; e.g., but not limited to, between dualopposed pressing rollers, by a flat plate (heated or not) placed on topof the combination; and/or between the flat plates of a press apparatus.

[0090]FIG. 11B shows a screen assembly 1480 according to the presentinvention which has a glue pattern layer 1484 (like the glue pattern1474, FIG. 11A or any of its alternative versions) between two screenlayers 1483, 1485 (each like the screen layer 1473, FIG. 11A or any ofits alternative versions). FIG. 11C illustrates a screen assembly 1490with two glue pattern layers 1494, 1496 (each like the glue patternlayer 1474, FIG. 11A, or any of its alternative embodiments). A screenlayer 1493 (like the screen layer 1473, FIG. 11A or any of itsalternative embodiments) is disposed between the glue pattern layers1494, 1496. The components of the screen assemblies of FIGS. 11B and 11Cmay be heat treated and/or pressure treated as are the components of thescreen assembly 1470, FIG. 11A, as described above.

[0091]FIG. 12 shows a screen assembly according to the present inventionwith a screening material layer 1499 on either side of which are gluepattern layers 1495 and 1497. Each glue pattern layer has not beenseparated from a substrate 1492, 1498 respectively on which the gluepattern layers have been previously deposited. The screening materiallayer 1499 may be any screening material disclosed herein. Thesubstrates 1492, 1498 may be any substrates disclosed herein. In oneparticular embodiment the substrates are suitable cardboard releasematerial (e.g. waxed) which serves as a protective cover or package(with ends appropriately folded over and/or sealed) for the resultingscreen assembly. Such cardboard may be sized and of such a nature towithstand any heat treatment and/or pressure treatment to theglue/screening material combination.

[0092] It is within the scope of this invention for any screen assemblydescribed herein that includes a glue pattern layer to include asubstrate on which the glue pattern layer is formed. The substrate issubsequently removed from the resulting screen assembly by peeling itaway, by burning, by chemical degradation (chemical applied with orwithout pressure) or by liquid (e.g. water) blasting. In any embodimentof a screen assembly herein that employs a glue/substrate combination inthe screen assembly, the substrate side or the glue pattern side may beon the exterior on either top or bottom (or both) of the screenassembly. It is also within the scope of this invention for thesubstrate to include multiple layers of similar or different material.Also, any glued screen layer or layers may be rolled up into a rollaccording to the present invention without a separator sheet or releaseliner; or with a separator sheet or release liner material under thelayer or layers so that screen does not touch screen in a resulting rollof screening material. When curing glue is in such a roll, using such aseparator or liner prevents undesired gluing together of screeningmaterial within the roll. A screen assembly with layers connectedtogether by cured glue may be folded and/or rolled up for ease ofhandling and/or for ease of packaging and/or shipping.

[0093] “Screening material” for any screen or screen assembly disclosedherein may be any screening material(s) and/or layer(s) disclosed orreferred to herein and it may, optionally, be corrugated following glueapplication. Such corrugation may be in the form of any corrugatedscreen disclosed in the prior art for use on vibratory separators orshale shakers.

[0094]FIG. 13 shows a screen side mount 100 according to the presentinvention which has a main member 102 to which is connected a secondarymember 104, e.g. by resistance welding and/or adhesives. As shown themembers 102, 104 are spaced apart (prior to their connection together)to illustrate areas 106, 108 defined, respectively, by portions 101, 103and 105, 107 of the member 102, 104. Screening material (not shown) maypass through area 106 and, in one aspect, into area 108. An end opening109 may be left open or it may be sealed off (e.g. as described abovefor the side mount 14). A series of spaced-apart holes 102 a (two shown)in the main member 102 are like the holes 29, FIG. 1B, and the openings64, FIG. 4B. There may be any desired number of holes 102 a (one, two,three, etc.) and, in one aspect, such holes are spaced-apart along theentire length of the screen side mount 100.

[0095]FIG. 14 shows a screen side mount 110 according to the presentinvention which is formed of a single piece of material 112, (e.g. metalor plastic) which is formed, folded or bent as shown in FIG. 14. Aresulting upper edge 114 serves as a rigid handle for manipulatingholding, lowering, and raising a screen assembly with such a screen sidemount. The screen side mount 110 is similar to the side mount 60, FIG.4E. A series of holes 116 extend along the length of the screen sidemount 110. Screening material may pass between a lip 111 and a lowerportion 113 and, in one aspect, may extend up and between top potions115, 117. The lip 111 and lower portion 113 may be welded togetherand/or adhered together with adhesive material, as may be the topportions 115, 117.

[0096] The edge 114 may serve the functions of: stiffening a screenassembly during use, handling, and shipment; protecting a mid-portion119 during handling and shipment; and preventing curling of a screenassembly according to the present invention that has flexible screeningmaterial. Since the edge 114 is relatively rigid (as opposed to aflexible floppy piece of wire, rope, or cable), it can be pulled on andalso torque can be applied to it which is useful in removing a screenassembly from its operational position on a vibratory separator or shaleshaker.

[0097]FIG. 15 illustrates a rigid handle 122 on a screen side mount 120according to the present invention which has some of the advantages ofthe rigid edge 114 described above. The handle 122, in certain aspects,is metal and is welded to a metal screen side mount 120. Alternativelysufficiently rigid and strong plastic, composite, or fiberglass may beused. One, two, three or more such handles may be used with the screenside mount 120 (and with any side mount according to the presentinvention). Optionally or alternatively, the side mount 120 has one,two, or any desired number of rigid projections 123 with a base 125 andan optional crossmember 127 connected to the side mount 120 as is thehandle 122.

[0098]FIG. 16 shows a seal member 130 according to the present inventionmade of any of the materials described above for seal member 30. Formedintegrally with or secured to the seal member 130 is a handle 137 usefulfor handling, moving, and manipulating a screen assembly with a sidemount with a seal member 130. The seal member 130 has an upper portion132 (like the upper portion 32, FIG. 1D) and an elongated portion 134(like the elongated portion 34, FIG. 1D). It is within the scope of thisinvention to have a seal member with one, two, three or more handleslike the handle 137. Optionally, the upper portion 132 is deleted (asmay be the case for the upper portion 32, FIG. 1D). The handle 137 hasupright parts 137 a and a crossmember 137 b. The crossmember 137 b maybe deleted and one, two, three, or any desired number of upright parts137 a, with or without holes for human fingers, may be used tofacilitate handling of a screen assembly using a seal member 130.Optionally or alternatively, one or more (two, three, any desirednumber) “T” shaped upright parts 138, with or without holes for humanfingers, may be used formed with or secured to the seal member 130 tofacilitate handling and manipulation of a screen assembly with a sealmember 130.

[0099]FIG. 17 shows a seal member 140 used in a position on a screenside mount as are the seal members 30, 54, and 130. As may be the casewith any seal member according to the present invention, the seal member140 has cut out portions 141 which define openings so that a hand orfinger may be inserted therethrough to facilitate handling andmanipulation of a screen assembly with a seal member 140. It is withinthe scope of this invention to use one, two, three or any desired numberof such openings of any desired shape for the seal member 140 (or withany seal or seal member according to the present invention). An optionalseal portion 142 extends from a main body 143 of the seal member 140.The seal portion 142 may be positioned as are the seal members 30, 54,and 130 on a screen assembly with the portion 142 either between ascreen assembly and a basket wall or above the screen assembly.

[0100] FIGS. 18A-18F show a screen assembly 340 according to the presentinvention which has a tubular frame 342 with ends 344 and interconnectedsides 345. A screening material combination 350 is secured with curedepoxy to the tubular frame 342. A crossmember 341 (of a plurality ofspaced-apart crossmembers 343 that extend between and have endsconnected to the sides 345) has two notches 346, either of which is forreceiving a portion of an upstanding member of a shale shaker deck.

[0101] In certain shale shakers in which screen assemblies withoutcrossmembers such as the crossmember 341 are used, one or moreupstanding members are located so that they do not push up on a screenassembly above them and such upstanding members are often used forproper screen assembly positioning, for preventing unwanted screenmovement with respect to a shaker deck, or for stabilizing screenassemblies in position. Rather than removing such upstanding member(s)when a screen assembly is used that does have one or more crossmembersthat would undesirably abut the top of an upstanding member (preventingcorrect screen assembly emplacement on a deck), a screen assemblyaccording to the present invention may be installed on such a shakerdeck so that a portion of the upstanding member (which is perpendicularto the crossmember 41 as viewed from above or below) is received in andprojects into one (or more) of the notches 346. With a screen assembly340 as shown, the crossmembers 343 on either side of the crossmember 341are sufficiently spaced-apart from the crossmember 341 that theupstanding member does not contact the adjacent crossmembers 343.Although only one notch 346 can accommodate an upstanding member, byusing two notches 346, proper emplacement of the screen assembly 340over the upstanding member is made “fool proof”—i.e. whichever side ofthe screen assembly is placed nearest the shaker's exit end (or fluidintroduction end) one of the notches will be above the upstandingmember. Of course it is within the scope of the present invention toplace aligned notches on adjacent crossmembers to accommodate anupstanding member of such dimensions that it extends beyond the distanceseparating two, three, four or more crossmembers. The screen assembly340 as shown has a multi-layer combination 350 of layers of screeningmaterial glued together with moisture curing hot melt glue in a gluepattern 362. The multi-layer glued-together combination 360 is securedto the tubular frame 342 with cured epoxy.

[0102]FIG. 19 shows a mounting structure (or “tray”) 400 for a shaleshaker on which is releasably securable one or more screen assemblies.As shown a screen assembly mounts on and covers tray 400, but it iswithin the scope of this invention to have a larger tray on which two,three or more screen assemblies are secured or to have multiple trays400 on a single shale shaker (as is true for any tray or mountingstructure according to the present invention disclosed herein). Althougha particular tray is shown in FIG. 19, it is to be understood that,according to the present invention, the teachings of the various holesand projecting members for trays (e.g., but not limited to, as in FIGS.19-49) are applicable to known screen mounting structures for shaleshakers in which and on which the holes and upstanding members may beused; and similarly for the screen assemblies according to the presentinvention (e.g., but not limited to as shown in FIGS. 20A-48) thevarious holes and projecting members may be used with any suitable knownscreen assembly.

[0103] The tray 400 has two spaced-apart outer ends 402, 404 which arespaced-apart by sides 406. The entire tray 400 is positioned in andconnected to a basket or other suitable enclosure or housing of a shaleshaker. Crossmembers 408 extend from end to end of the tray 400 andcrossmembers 410, 412 extend between crossmembers 408 and sides 406. Asupport member 409 extends beneath one of the crossmembers 408 (and sucha support may be under any crossmember). Wear strips 414 are connectedto tops of the sides 406 and wear strips 416 are on tops of some of theinterior crossmembers. An upstanding member 420 projects upwardly fromeach end 402, 404 of the tray 400. Each upstanding member 420 islocated, sized, and configured for receipt within a corresponding holeof a screen assembly placed on the tray 400. Fluid to be treated by ashale shaker with a tray as in FIG. 19 (or any tray disclosed herein)may flow across a screen assembly placed on the tray in any desireddirection; and one such direction is indicated by the arrows AA and BBin FIG. 19.

[0104] FIGS. 20A-20D show a screen assembly 430 according to the presentinvention which has a lower support frame 432 (which may be any knownscreen assembly support frame or which may, alternatively, be any knownscreen assembly support such as a strip support, perforated plate, orunibody structure). Screening material 434 (shown partially, butcovering the frame 432) is on the top of the frame 432 and may be anyknown screening material used in screen assemblies for shale shakers,including, but not limited to, multi-layer screen meshes and/or flat or3-D materials. A lower bar 436 is connected to or formed integrally ofthe frame 432 at each of its ends. Each end of the screen assembly 430has a hole 438 for receiving a member projecting upwardly from a shaleshaker's screen mounting structure, e.g., but not limited to, like theupstanding members 420, FIG. 19. The holes 438 do not extend through thetop of the frame 432.

[0105]FIG. 20E shows possible shapes 439 a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i and jas viewed from above, for any upstanding member or upwardly projectingmember according to the present invention, and also for holescorresponding to such upstanding or upwardly projecting members.

[0106]FIG. 21 shows a tray 440 according to the present invention whichis like the tray 400 (and like parts are designated with the samenumerals), FIG. 19; but which has three upstanding members 420 at eachof its ends, each for receipt within corresponding holes of a screenassembly to be emplaced on the tray 400. Tray ends or sides according tothe present invention may have any desired number of upstanding orupwardly projecting members for receipt within corresponding holes of ascreen assembly.

[0107]FIG. 22 shows a tray 450 like the tray 400 (and like parts aredesignated with the same numerals); but without any upstanding members420 and with a hole 452 in each of its ends. The holes 452 are located,sized, and configured for receiving corresponding downwardly projectingmembers of a screen assembly emplaced on the tray 450.

[0108] FIGS. 23A-23D show a screen assembly 460 according to the presentinvention like the screen assembly 430, FIG. 20A, and like numeralsdesignate like parts. Instead of holes 438, however, the screen assembly460 has downwardly projecting members 468 on each of its ends. Thedownwardly projecting members 468 are located, sized, and configured forreceipt within corresponding holes in a shale shaker's screen mountingstructure, e.g., but not limited to, such as the holes 4552, FIG. 22.

[0109]FIG. 24 shows a tray 470 according to the present invention likethe trays 400 (FIG. 19) and 450 (FIG. 22); but with two upstandingmembers 472 at each of its ends and a hole 474 in each of its ends. Eachupstanding member 472 is located, sized and configured for receiptwithin a corresponding hole of a screen assembly and the hole 474 islocated, sized and configured for receiving a corresponding downwardlyprojecting member of a screen assembly. Either one or both of theupstanding members 472 may be deleted; there may be three or moreupstanding members 4742; the hole 474 may be deleted; and/or there maybe two, three or more holes 474—as is true for any tray according to thepresent invention.

[0110] FIGS. 25A-25H show schematically shale shakers according to thepresent invention with shale shaker decks (screen mounting structures)according to the present invention. The shale shakers of FIGS. 25A-25Hare like the shale shaker of FIG. 10B and like numerals designate thesame parts. It is within the scope of the present invention to employany of the holes or upstanding members in FIGS. 25A-26H on any shaleshaker mounting structure disclosed herein. Also, any screen assemblydisclosed herein can have the hole(s) and/or downwardly projectingmembers of the screen assembly of FIG. 25G. It is to be understood thatalthough the drawings of FIGS. 25A-25H show upstanding members or holesat only one side of a deck, the other side (not shown) of the deck mayhave the same structure, or it may have none of the structure shown.

[0111] A shale shaker 480 shown in FIG. 25A has a plurality ofspaced-apart holes 481, each hole for receiving a correspondingdownwardly projecting member of a screen assembly placed on the shaleshaker's deck. The holes 481 extend down substantially perpendicularlyinto the deck 122. Any number of holes 481 may be used (one-four ormore).

[0112] A shale shaker 482 shown in FIG. 25B has a plurality ofspaced-apart holes 483, each hole for receiving a correspondingdownwardly projecting member of a screen assembly placed on the shaleshaker's deck. The holes 483 extend down at an angle (toward the left)into the deck 122. Any number of holes 483 may be used (one-four ormore) and they may extend into the deck 122 at any desired angle,including, but not limited to, angled toward or away from a fluidintroduction end or fluid exit end.

[0113] A shale shaker 484 shown in FIG. 25C has a plurality ofspaced-apart holes 485, each hole for receiving a correspondingdownwardly projecting member of a screen assembly placed on the shaleshaker's deck. The holes 485 extend down at an angle into the deck 122.Any number of holes 485 may be used (one-four or more) and they may beangled at any desired angle in any desired direction.

[0114] A shale shaker 486 shown in FIG. 25D has a plurality ofspaced-apart upstanding members 487, each hole for receipt within acorresponding hole of a screen assembly placed on the shale shaker'sdeck. The upstanding members 487 extend up substantially perpendicularlyto the deck 122. Any number of members 487 may be used (one-four ormore).

[0115] A shale shaker 488 shown in FIG. 25E has a plurality ofspaced-apart upstanding members 489, each for receipt within acorresponding hole of a screen assembly placed on the shale shaker'sdeck. The upstanding members 489 extend up at an angle to the deck 122.Any number of members 489 may be used (one-four or more) and they mayproject from the deck at any desired angle in any desired direction.

[0116] A shale shaker 489 shown in FIG. 25F has a plurality ofspaced-apart upstanding members 491, each for receipt within acorresponding hole of a screen assembly placed on the shale shaker'sdeck. The upstanding members 491 extend up at an angle to the deck 122.Any number of upstanding members 491 may be used (one-four or more) andthey may be at any desired angle in any desired direction.

[0117] A shale shaker 492 shown in FIG. 25H has a plurality ofspaced-apart holes 493, each hole for receiving a correspondingdownwardly projecting member of a screen assembly placed on the shaleshaker's deck and a plurality of spaced-apart upstanding members 494projecting up from the deck 122. The holes 493 extend down substantiallyperpendicularly into the deck 122 (but may be at any angle at anydirection) and the upstanding members 494 project up substantiallyperpendicularly to the deck 122, but may be at any angle in anydirection. Any number of holes and/or upstanding members may be used(one-four or more).

[0118]FIG. 25G shows schematically a screen assembly 495 according tothe present invention, useful on a shale shaker, which has a body orsupport 496 with two spaced-apart downwardly projecting members 497 andtwo spaced-apart holes 498. The downwardly projecting members 497 arefor receipt within corresponding holes (e.g. but not limited to, such asthe holes 493, FIG. 25H) in a shale shaker screen assembly mountingstructure; and the holes 498 are for receiving corresponding upwardlyprojecting members of a shale shaker mounting structure (e.g., but notlimited to, such as the upstanding members 494, FIG. 25H).

[0119]FIG. 26 shows a shale shaker 500 like the shale shaker of FIG. 19(like numerals indicate the same parts); but with a plurality ofspaced-apart upwardly projecting members 502 projecting up from the deck92. It is to be understood, although not shown, that as desired,upstanding members 502 may be provided spaced-apart on both sides oraround the entire periphery of the deck 92 (or of any shaker deck).Optionally, the holes 93 may be deleted or they may be sized forreceiving downwardly projecting members of a screen assembly.

[0120]FIG. 27 shows a shale shaker 504 like that of FIG. 27 but with aplurality of spaced-apart upwardly projecting members 506 at the sidesof the screen assembly mounting structures of the shale shaker.Optionally, the holes (or some of them) 72 and 73 may be deleted or theymay be sized to receive a downwardly projecting member of a screenassembly.

[0121]FIG. 28 shows a wear strip 510 according to the present inventionwhich has a body 511 and an upstanding member 512 for receipt within acorresponding hole of a screen assembly. Using openings 513 at eitherend of the body 511, the wear strip 510 is connectible to an end or sideor crossmember of a shale shaker's screen assembly mounting structure.Each opening 513 has, optionally, a bevelled edge 514 for ease ofinstallation, e.g., but not limited to with fasteners, bolts, screws,pins, and/or around upstanding connectors on a shale shaker mountingstructure. In certain aspects the openings 513 are located so that thewear strip 510 is slipped onto corresponding upstanding members of ashale shaker mounting structure (e.g. as in FIG. 33). The wear strip(and any wear strip herein) 510 may be made of any suitable material,e.g., but not limited to fiberglass, rubber, zinc, zinc alloy, urethane,BUNA-N, aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, stainless steel, wood, iron orplastic as may be the upstanding member 512 (as may be any wear strip ormounting structure disclosed herein).

[0122]FIGS. 29A and 29B show a wear strip 520 according to the presentinvention which has a body 521 and an upstanding member 522 for receiptwithin a corresponding hole of a screen assembly. Using openings 523 ateither end of the body 521, the wear strip 520 is connectible to an endor side or crossmember of a shale shaker's screen assembly mountingstructure. Each opening 523 has, optionally, a bevelled edge 524 forease of installation, e.g., but not limited to with fasteners, bolts,screws, pins, and/or around upstanding connectors on a shale shakermounting structure. In certain aspects the openings 523 are located sothat the wear strip 520 is slipped onto corresponding upstanding membersof a shale shaker mounting structure (e.g. as in FIG. 33). The wearstrip (and any wear strip herein) 520 may be made of any suitablematerial, e.g., but not limited to fiberglass, rubber, steel, stainlesssteel, wood, iron or plastic as may be the upstanding member 522.

[0123]FIGS. 30A and 30B show a wear strip 530 according to the presentinvention which has a body 531 and an upstanding member 532 for receiptwithin a corresponding hole of a screen assembly. Using openings 533 ateither end of the body 531, the wear strip 530 is connectible to an endor side or crossmember of a shale shaker's screen assembly mountingstructure. Each opening 533 has, optionally, a bevelled edge 534 forease of installation, e.g., but not limited to with fasteners, bolts,screws, pins, and/or around upstanding connectors on a shale shakermounting structure. In certain aspects the openings 533 are located sothat the wear strip 530 is slipped onto corresponding upstanding membersof a shale shaker mounting structure (e.g. as in FIG. 33). The wearstrip (and any wear strip herein) 530 may be made of any suitablematerial, e.g., but not limited to fiberglass, rubber, steel, stainlesssteel, wood, iron or plastic as may be the upstanding member 532. Aswith any of the wear strips in FIGS. 28-32A, any desired number ofupstanding members of any desired shape may be used. Also, any suchupstanding member may be formed integrally of or connected to a wearstrip according to the present invention.

[0124]FIGS. 31A and 31B show a wear strip 540 according to the presentinvention which has a body 541 and an upstanding member 542 for receiptwithin a corresponding hole of a screen assembly. Using openings 543 ateither end of the body 541, the wear strip 540 is connectible to an endor side or crossmember of a shale shaker's screen assembly mountingstructure. Each opening 543 has, optionally, a bevelled edge 544 forease of installation, e.g., but not limited to with fasteners, bolts,screws, pins, and/or around upstanding connectors on a shale shakermounting structure. In certain aspects the openings 543 are located sothat the wear strip 540 is slipped onto corresponding upstanding membersof a shale shaker mounting structure (e.g. as in FIG. 33). The wearstrip (and any wear strip herein) 540 may be made of any suitablematerial, e.g., but not limited to fiberglass, rubber, steel, stainlesssteel, wood, iron or plastic as may be the upstanding member 542.

[0125] FIGS. 32A-32C shows a wear strip 550 according to the presentinvention which has a body 551 and an upstanding member 552 (FIG. 32B)or 557 (FIG. 32C) for receipt within a corresponding hole of a screenassembly. Using openings 553 at either end of the body 551, the wearstrip 550 is connectible to an end or side or crossmember of a shaleshaker's screen assembly mounting structure. Each opening 553 has,optionally, a bevelled edge 554. Any upstanding member in any embodimentof the present invention may have a rounded surface as does theupstanding member 557. FIGS. 32D and 32E show wear strips with a hole atone end and an opening at the other end. FIG. 32D shows a wear strip 550a like the wear strip 550, FIG. 32A. The wear strip 550 a has a body 551a, like the body 551 described above, with an opening 553 a, like theopening 553 described above and with an upstanding member 557 a, likethe upstanding member 557 described above. The wear strip 550 a also hasa hole 573 a, like the hole 573 described below. FIG. 32E shows a wearstrip 550 b like the wear strip 550, FIG. 32A. The wear strip 550 b hasa body 551 b, like the body 551 described above, with an opening 613 a,like the opening 613 described below and with an upstanding member 557b, like the upstanding member 557 described above. The wear strip 550 balso has a hole 573 b, like the hole 573 described below. The wearstrips of FIGS. 32D and 32E are emplaceable on a tray with their endhole receiving an upstanding connector of the tray and with their otherend opening encompassing another upstanding connector.

[0126]FIG. 33 discloses a tray 560 like the tray 400, FIG. 21 and likenumerals indicate the same parts. Each end 402, 404 of the tray 560 hastwo spaced-apart upstanding connectors 562 useful for releasablyattaching wear strips with appropriate openings (e.g., but not limitedto, wear strips as in FIGS. 28-32C and 38A-41A, with appropriately sizedopenings) to the tray 560. Each connector 562 has a top 564 larger thana base 565 so that, e.g., upon sliding an opening (e.g., but not limitedto an opening 513 of the wear strip 510, FIG. 28) around a connector562, the top 564 abuts a top surface of the wear strip (which is madewith an appropriate thickness) thereby holding the wear strip inposition. One, three or more such connectors 562 may be used (with acorresponding opening or openings in a wear strip).

[0127]FIGS. 34A and 34B show a wear strip 570 according to the presentinvention with a body 571 and an upstanding member 572. Holes 573 ateach end of the body 571 may be used for fasteners, bolts, screws, orpins to releasably secure the wear strip to a side of a shale shakermounting structure which has corresponding holes for the fasteners, etc.Holes 573 (and any hole in FIGS. 35A-37A) may be bevelled as shown.

[0128]FIGS. 35A and 35B show a wear strip 580 according to the presentinvention with a body 581 and an upstanding member 582. Holes 583 ateach end of the body 581 may be used for fasteners, bolts, screws, orpins to releasably secure the wear strip to a side of a shale shakermounting structure which has corresponding holes for the fasteners, etc.

[0129]FIGS. 36A and 36B show a wear strip 590 according to the presentinvention with a body 591 and an upstanding member 592. Holes 593 ateach end of the body 591 may be used for fasteners, bolts, screws, orpins to releasably secure the wear strip to a side of a shale shakermounting structure which has corresponding holes for the fasteners, etc.

[0130]FIGS. 37A and 37B show a wear strip 600 according to the presentinvention with a body 601 and an upstanding member 602. Holes 603 ateach end of the body 601 may be used for fasteners, bolts, screws, orpins to releasably secure the wear strip to a side of a shale shakermounting structure which has corresponding holes for the fasteners, etc.

[0131]FIGS. 38A and 38B show a wear strip 610 according to the presentinvention which has a body 611 and an upstanding member 612 for receiptwithin a corresponding hole of a screen assembly. Using holes 613 ateither end of the body 611, the wear strip 610 is connectible to an endor side or crossmember of a shale shaker's screen assembly mountingstructure. Each opening 613 has, optionally, a bevelled edge portion 614for ease of installation. A connector on a shaker tray can be insertedthrough a generally round part 615 of the openings 613 and then the wearstrip is moved (to the left in FIG. 38A) to secure the wear strip inplace with the connectors.

[0132]FIGS. 39A and 39B show a wear strip 620 according to the presentinvention which has a body 621 and an upstanding member 622 for receiptwithin a corresponding hole of a screen assembly. Using holes 623 ateither end of the body 621, the wear strip 620 is connectible to an endor side or crossmember of a shale shaker's screen assembly mountingstructure. Each opening 623 has, optionally, a bevelled edge portion 624for ease of installation. A connector on a shaker tray can be insertedthrough a generally round part 625 of the openings 623 and then the wearstrip is moved (to the left in FIG. 39A) to secure the wear strip inplace with the connectors.

[0133]FIGS. 40A and 40B show a wear strip 630 according to the presentinvention which has a body 631 and an upstanding member 632 for receiptwithin a corresponding hole of a screen assembly. Using holes 633 ateither end of the body 631, the wear strip 630 is connectible to an endor side or crossmember of a shale shaker's screen assembly mountingstructure. Each opening 633 has, optionally, a bevelled edge portion 634for ease of installation. A connector on a shaker tray can be insertedthrough a generally round part 635 of the openings 633 and then the wearstrip is moved (to the left in FIG. 40A) to secure the wear strip inplace with the connectors.

[0134]FIGS. 41A and 41B show a wear strip 640 according to the presentinvention which has a body 641 and an upstanding member 642 for receiptwithin a corresponding hole of a screen assembly. Using holes 643 ateither end of the body 641, the wear strip 640 is connectible to an endor side or crossmember of a shale shaker's screen assembly mountingstructure. Each opening 643 has, optionally, a bevelled edge portion 644for ease of installation. A connector on a shaker tray can be insertedthrough a generally round part 645 of the openings 643 and then the wearstrip is moved (to the left in FIG. 41A) to secure the wear strip inplace with the connectors.

[0135]FIG. 42 shows a tray 650 according to the present invention for ascreen assembly mounting structure of a shale shaker like the tray 400,FIG. 19, and like numerals indicate the same parts. The tray 650 hasthree holes 652 in each of its ends 402, 404. (Note that fluid flow overa screen assembly on the tray 650, and on any similar tray, may be fromthe top side 406 in FIG. 42 to the bottom side 406 in FIG. 42; oralternatively from end 402 to end 404). The holes 652 may be located,sized and configured for receipt therein of corresponding downwardlyprojecting members of a screen assembly or they may be used forreleasably connecting a wear strip according to the present invention tothe tray 65 (or they may be used for receiving fasteners that passthrough a screen assembly, as may be any hole in any tray according tothe present invention).

[0136]FIG. 43 shows a tray 660 according to the present invention likethe tray 400 and like numerals indicate the same parts. Each end 402,404 has on its top surface an amount 662 of releasably cooperatinghook-and-loop connection material and each of two wear strips 664 has acorresponding amount 665 (see e.g. FIG. 44) of such releasablycooperating hook-and-loop connection material (e.g. but not limited toVELCRO™ material) for releasably connecting the wear strips 664 to thetops of the ends of tray 660. Each wear strip has an upstanding member667 (like the upstanding member 420, FIG. 19). The wear strips 664 areshown above the tray 400 over the positions on the tray 664 at whichthey are connected in use (as is true for the wear strips shown abovethe tray in FIG. 45).

[0137]FIG. 45 shows a tray 670 according to the present invention likethe tray 400 of FIG. 19 and like numerals indicate the same parts. Eachend 402, 404 has on its top surface an amount 672 of two-sided adhesivetape for adhesively and releasably securing each of two wear strips 674to the tops of the ends of tray 670. Each wear strip 674 has anupstanding member 677 (like the upstanding member 420, FIG. 19).

[0138]FIG. 46 shows a tray 680 according to the present invention likethe tray 400, FIG. 19, and like numerals indicate the same parts. A wearstrip 684 is secured on crossmembers 410, 412 as shown with any suitablesecurement, fastener, adhesive, and/or welding. It is within the scopeof this invention to have a wear strip according to the presentinvention on any crossmember or crossmembers of a shale shaker's screenassembly mounting structure.

[0139]FIG. 47 shows a tray 690 according to the present invention likethe tray 400, FIG. 19, and like numerals indicate the same parts. Acrossmember 412 has an upstanding member 692 for receipt within acorresponding hole of a screen assembly emplaced on the tray 690.Another crossmember 412 a has a hole 693 for receiving a downwardlyprojecting member of a screen assembly emplaced on the tray 690. Anynumber of holes 693 on any of the crossmembers may be used according tothe present invention; and/or any number of upstanding members 692 maybe used on any of the crossmembers. The hole 693 and upstanding member692 may have any shape for holes and upstanding members, respectively,disclosed herein.

[0140]FIG. 48 shows a screen assembly 700 like the screen assembly 430,FIG. 20A, and like numerals indicate the same parts. One crossmember 432a of the frame 432 has a hole 703 sized, located and configured forreceiving a corresponding upstanding member of a screen mountingstructure of a shale shaker. A crossmember 432 b of the frame 432 has aprojecting member 702 for receipt within a corresponding hole in ascreen mounting structure of a shale shaker. Any number of holes 703may, according to the present invention, be used on a crossmember orcrossmembers of the frame 432; and/or any number of projecting members702 may, according to the present invention, be used on a crossmember orcrossmembers of the frame 432.

[0141]FIG. 49A shows a projecting member 710 according to the presentinvention which may be used for any upstanding or upwardly projectingmember or downwardly projecting member disclosed herein. The projectingmember 710 has a base 712 larger than a top 714.

[0142]FIG. 49B shows a hole 720 in material 722 which has a top opening724 larger than a hole bottom 726. Such a hole may be used for any holein any embodiment of the present invention. The base 712 and top 714(and the top opening 724 and hole bottom 726) may be any desired size,and the distance between them may be any desired length; and the shapeof the top 714 and base 712 (and of the top openings 724 and hole bottom726) may be any shape disclosed herein for an upstanding or upwardlyprojecting member.

[0143]FIGS. 50A and 50B show a screen assembly 730 according to thepresent invention which has a plurality of glued-together layers ofscreening material 731, 732, 733 with a plate 734 attached at one endand secured to the lower layer 733 of screening material. Holes 735extend through the screening material layers and through the plate 734.The plate 734 may be adhesively secured to the screening material and/orany suitable fastener and/or clamp apparatus may be used for suchsecurement. The holes 735 may be used (as may the holes 743, FIG. 50C)as holes for receiving an upstanding member of a screen assemblymounting structure of a shale shaker; or fasteners may be insertedthrough the holes to releasably secure the screen assembly to a shaleshaker screen assembly mounting structure. As with the glued-togetherlayers of the screen assemblies of FIGS. 50C, 50E and 50G the screenassembly 730 may be any combination of two, three or more layers ofscreening material and/or mesh as disclosed in pending U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/037,474 filed Oct. 19, 2001, and Ser. No. 10/087,025 filedOct. 19, 2001 entitled “Glued Screens For Shale Shakers,” saidapplications incorporated fully herein in their entirety for allpurposes.

[0144] Optionally, the screen assembly 730 has holes 736 through thescreening material and through plates 737 a, 737 b ; and, optionally,holes 738 through a plate 739. It is within the scope of the presentinvention to provide a hole or holes on the outer periphery of thescreen assembly 730 or to provide one or more holes with a correspondinglower plate (made of any suitable material including materials disclosedherein for wear strips and projecting members, rigid or flexible) at aninner area of the screen assembly 730 (and as may be provided in thescreen assemblies of FIGS. 50C and 50E).

[0145]FIGS. 50C and 50D show a screen assembly 740 according to thepresent invention which has a plurality of glued-together layers ofscreening material 742 (like the layers 731-733, FIG. 50B) and holes 743through a plate 741 (like the plate 734, FIG. 50B). Optionally, aflexible seal flap 744 is provided along an end (or side) of the screenassembly and it is within the scope of the present invention to providesuch a flexible seal flap on the opposite side or end (or on any side orend of any known screen assembly) for sealing ascreen-assembly-basket-wall interface when the screen assembly is inposition in a shale shaker basket. A hook apparatus 745 is connected toone end (or side) of the screen assembly 740 and provides a hookstructure that can be engaged by known screen mounting apparatuses. Withpins or fasteners extending through the holes 743 to releasably connectthe screen assembly 740 at one side of a screen basket, tension can beapplied to the screen assembly 740 through the hook apparatus 745 forefficient tensioning and positioning of the screen assembly on a shaleshaker.

[0146]FIGS. 50E and 50F show a screen assembly 750 according to thepresent invention which has a plurality of glued-together layers ofscreening material 752 with plates 753, 754 on either side of the screenassembly 750. Downwardly projecting members 755 (which may be like anydownwardly projecting members disclosed herein) project down from theplates 753, 754 and are sized, located, and configured for receipt incorresponding holes of a screen assembly mounting structure of a shaleshaker.

[0147]FIG. 50G shows a screen assembly 760 according to the presentinvention which has a plurality of glued-together layers of screeningmaterial 762 (like the layers 731-732, 742, and 752 disclosed above). Anouter peripheral layer 763 of glue, adhesive, and/or epoxy surrounds thescreen assembly 760 and a plurality of spaced-apart holes 765 extendthrough the layer 763 and through the layers of screening material.(Alternatively the layers 763 and/or 764 may be made of material likethat of any plate in FIGS. 50A-50F.) Optionally a layer 764 like thelayer 763 is provided on the bottom of the screen assembly 760. Any one,two, or three sides of either layer 763, 764 may be deleted, e.g. ifholes are desired on less than all sides of the screen assembly. A plateor plates (rigid or flexible) may be positioned above layers ofscreening material above any plate in FIGS. 50A-50F.

[0148]FIG. 51 shows a wear strip 770 (which may be any wear stripaccording to the present invention) which is made in a bowed shape asshown in FIG. 51 so that it will exert an upward force on a screenassembly mounted above it in a shale shaker. Alternatively, any wearstrip according to the present invention which is flexible may beconnected to a shale shaker screen assembly mounting structure so thatit is bowed upwardly. It is within the scope of the present invention toemploy an initially-bowed wear strip in a flattened position so that insuch flattened position it exerts an upward force on a screen assemblyabove it. This can be useful when wedges or other screen holding itemsare used which are made of a material such as rubber or urethane whichcan shrink or loose some of its resiliency in use thereby loosening themounting of a screen assembly in a shale shaker.

[0149] The present invention, therefore, in some, but not necessarily inall embodiments, provides a vibratory separator including containerapparatus, screen assembly apparatus removably secured in the containerapparatus, the vibratory apparatus connected to the container apparatusfor vibrating the container apparatus and the screen assembly apparatus,the screen assembly apparatus with screening material with opposedspaced-apart sides including a first side and a second side, a sidemount on each of the opposed spaced-apart sides, each side of theopposed spaced-apart sides of screening material having an edge portion,each edge portion held within a side mount, seal structure on anexterior of each side mount for sealing a side mount/screen holdingapparatus interface, wherein the screening material has a plurality oflayers of screening material flexibly connected so that the screenassembly is foldable, wherein the side mount has a lower part with aplurality of spaced-apart holes for receiving a corresponding pluralityof spaced-apart members which are part of screen mounting apparatus ofthe vibratory separator, the screening material including at least twolayers of screening material including at least a first layer and asecond layer, the first layer made of metal and with a first metal meshthrough which liquid in the fluid is passable and having a first metalmesh pattern with an amount of hot melt glue in a glue pattern on thefirst layer of screening material, the second layer adjacent and incontact with the first layer glued together with the first layer by thehot melt glue, the second layer made of metal and with a second metalmesh through which liquid in the fluid is passable, wherein the gluepattern is different from the first metal mesh pattern, and handlingapparatus on the screen assembly apparatus (on the seal structure or oneach side mount, or both) for facilitating handling of the screenassembly apparatus. Such a vibratory separator or shale shaker may haveone or some, in any possible combination, of the following: the screenassembly's screening material is suitable for treating drilling fluidswith solids entrained therein; wherein the seal member includes thehandling apparatus; and/or wherein at least one of the side mountsincludes handling apparatus.

[0150] The present invention, therefore, in some, but in not necessarilyall embodiments, provides a screen assembly for a vibratory separator,the screen assembly having screening material (e.g., one, two, three ormore layers of screen mesh) with opposed spaced-apart sides including afirst side and a second side, a side mount on each of the opposedspaced-apart sides, each of the first side and the second side of theopposed spaced-apart sides having a screening material edge portion,each screening material edge portion having part thereof extending intoand held within a corresponding side mount. Such a screen assembly mayhave one or some, in any possible combination, of the following: sealstructure on an exterior of each side mount for sealing a sidemount/screen holding apparatus interface; wherein the seal structureincludes a hollow portion; wherein the seal structure is positioned forlocation between the screen assembly and screen assembly mountingstructure of the vibratory separator; wherein the screening materialcomprises a plurality of interconnected layers of screening material;wherein the layers of screening material are glued together with curedhot melt glue; wherein the screening material has a first layer ofscreening material made of metal and with a first metal mesh throughwhich liquid in the fluid is passable and having a first metal meshpattern with an amount of hot melt glue in a glue pattern on the firstlayer of screening material, a second layer of screening materialadjacent and in contact with the first layer glued together with thefirst layer by the hot melt glue, the second layer of screening materialmade of metal and with a second metal mesh through which liquid in thefluid is passable, and wherein the glue pattern is different from thefirst metal mesh pattern; wherein the screening material has a lengthand a width and the hot melt glue is in intermittent or continuous linesof glue extending across the length and the width of the screeningmaterial; wherein the hot melt glue is in discrete amounts spaced-apartacross the screening material; wherein the hot melt glue is in at leastone line across the screening material; wherein the side mount has alower part with a plurality of spaced-apart holes for receiving acorresponding plurality of spaced-apart members which are part of screenmounting apparatus of the vibratory separator; wherein the vibratoryseparator is a shale shaker and the screen assembly's screening materialis suitable for treating drilling fluids; wherein an edge of thescreening material passes between two opposed parts of the side mount,said two opposed parts secured together; wherein the two opposed partsof the side mount are welded together; wherein an edge of the screeningmaterial passes between two first opposed parts of each side mount andan end of the screening material is secured between two second opposedparts of each side mount; wherein each side mount has two spaced-apartopenings, said openings sealed off with seal material; wherein thescreening material is generally flat; wherein at least part of thescreening material in cross-section is undulating; wherein the screeningmaterial has material flexible so that the screen assembly is foldableand/or can be rolled up; wherein the seal structure includes handlingstructure; wherein the handling structure is T shaped; wherein thehandling structure is at least one handle; wherein the handlingstructure is at least one hole through the seal structure; wherein eachside mount has an upper inwardly directed edge; wherein each side mountis made of a single piece of material; and/or at least one rigidhandling apparatus formed of or connected to at least one of the sidemounts.

[0151] The present invention, therefore, in some, but in not necessarilyall embodiments, provides a screen assembly for a vibratory separator,the screen assembly having screening material with opposed spaced-apartsides including a first side and a second side, a side mount on each ofthe opposed spaced-apart sides, each side of the opposed spaced-apartsides of screening material having an edge portion, each edge portionheld within a side mount, seal structure on an exterior of each sidemount for sealing a side mount/screen holding apparatus interface,wherein the screening material is a plurality of layers of screeningmaterial flexibly connected so that the screen assembly is foldableand/or can be rolled up, and wherein the side mount has a lower partwith a plurality of spaced-apart holes for receiving a correspondingplurality of spaced-apart members which are part of screen mountingapparatus of the vibratory separator.

[0152] The present invention, therefore, in some, but in not necessarilyall embodiments, provides a screen assembly for a vibratory separator,the screen assembly having screening material with opposed spaced-apartsides including a first side and a second side, screen mountingapparatus on each of the opposed spaced-apart sides, each of the firstside and the second side of the opposed spaced-apart sides having ascreening material edge portion, each screening material edge portionhaving part thereof extending into and held within a side mount, and thescreening material comprising flexible material so that the screenassembly is foldable and/or can be rolled up. Such a screen assembly mayhave one or some, in any possible combination, of the following: whereinthe screening material is a first layer of screening material made ofmetal and with a first metal mesh through which liquid in the fluid ispassable and having a first metal mesh pattern with an amount of hotmelt glue in a glue pattern on the first layer of screening material, asecond layer of screening material adjacent and in contact with thefirst layer glued together with the first layer by the hot melt glue,the second layer of screening material made of metal and having a secondmetal mesh through which liquid in the fluid is passable, and whereinthe glue pattern is different from the first metal mesh pattern; whereinthe screening material has a length and a width and the hot melt glue isin one or more continuous and/or intermittent lines of glue extendingacross the length and the width of the screening material; wherein thehot melt glue is in discrete amounts spaced-apart across the screeningmaterial; wherein the hot melt glue is in at least one line across thescreening material; and/or wherein the screen mounting apparatus ishookstrip apparatus.

[0153] The present invention, therefore, in some, but in not necessarilyall embodiments, provides a mount for a screen assembly for a vibratoryseparator, the mount for holding screening material of the screenassembly, the mount including a body with a bottom part, a side partextending up from and connected to the bottom part, a top part connectedto the side part, a top lip formed by overlapping portions of the body,a bottom lip formed by overlapping portions of the top part and bottompart, a space defined between the top part, the side part, and thebottom part, which space is suitable for the passage therethrough of aportion of screening material, the overlapping portions of the bottomlip spaced-apart for the passage therethrough of a portion of thescreening material, seal structure on an exterior of each side mount forsealing a side mount/screen holding apparatus interface, wherein theseal structure is positioned for location of at least a portion of theseal structure between the screen assembly and screen assembly mountingstructure of the vibratory separator. Such a mount may have one or some,in any possible combination, of the following: the body having twosealed spaced-apart end openings; wherein the top lip includes a spacetherebetween suitable for holding a portion of the screening material;wherein the seal structure includes a hollow portion (e.g., either alongthe entire length of the seal structure or only in part thereof or withintermittent spaced-apart hollow portions), and the hollow portion ispositioned for location above the top part of the mount; wherein eachside mount has an upper inwardly directed edge; wherein the side mountis made of a single piece of material; and/or at least one rigidhandling apparatus formed of or connected to the side mount.

[0154] The present invention, therefore, in some, but in not necessarilyall embodiments, provides a mount for a screen assembly for a vibratoryseparator, the mount for holding screening material of the screenassembly, the mount including a body with a bottom part, a side partextending up from and connected to the bottom part, a top part connectedto the side part, a top lip formed by overlapping portions of the body,a bottom lip formed by overlapping portions of the top part and bottompart, a space defined between the top part, the side part, and thebottom part, said space suitable for the passage therethrough of aportion of screening material, the overlapping portions of the bottomlip spaced-apart for the passage therethrough of a portion of thescreening material, seal structure on an exterior of each side mount forsealing a side mount/screen holding apparatus interface, and handleapparatus formed of the seal structure. Such a mount may have one orsome, in any possible combination, of the following: wherein the handleapparatus is at least one cut out portion of the seal structure; whereinthe handle apparatus is an upwardly projecting portion of the sealstructure formed integrally of the seal structure; and/or the bodyhaving two sealed spaced-apart end openings.

[0155] The present invention, therefore, in some, but in not necessarilyall embodiments, provides a mount for a screen assembly for a vibratoryseparator, the mount for holding screening material of the screenassembly, the mount having a body with a bottom part, a side partextending up from and connected to the bottom part, the side part madeof side part material, a top part connected to the side part, a top lipformed by overlapping portions of the body, a bottom lip formed byoverlapping portions of the top part and bottom part, a space definedbetween the top part, the side part, and the bottom part, the spacesuitable for the passage therethrough of a portion of screeningmaterial, the overlapping portions of the bottom lip spaced-apart forthe passage therethrough of a portion of the screening material, andhandle apparatus formed of the side part, the handle apparatus made ofside part material or of material different therefrom, and formedintegrally of the side part. Such a mount may have two sealedspaced-apart end openings.

[0156] The present invention, therefore, in some, but in not necessarilyall embodiments, provides a seal for sealing an interface between ascreen assembly and part of a vibratory separator or shale shaker inwhich the screen assembly is mounted, the seal having handlingapparatus. Such a seal may have one or some of the following, in anypossible combination: wherein the handling apparatus is at least onehandle formed of the body; wherein the handling apparatus is at leastone cut out portion of the body; and/or wherein the handling apparatusis at least one projection projecting from the body, e.g., withcylindrical or T shape.

[0157] The present invention, therefore, in some, but in not necessarilyall embodiments, provides a method for making a screen assembly for avibratory separator, the method including connecting together aplurality of layers of screening material, securing each of two opposededge portions of the screening material within a side mount accordingtot he present invention. Such a method may include use of a screenassembly with layers of screening material wherein the layers ofscreening material are flexible and are glued together with hot meltglue.

[0158] The present invention, therefore, in some, but in not necessarilyall embodiments, provides a seal for installation on a screen assemblyfor sealing a screen-assembly/screen-holder interface in a vibratoryseparator, the seal having a body with a portion thereof connectible tothe screen assembly, and handling apparatus on the body for facilitatinghandling of the screen assembly.

[0159] In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present inventionand the embodiments disclosed herein and those covered by the appendedclaims are well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the endsset forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It isrealized that changes are possible within the scope of this inventionand it is further intended that each element or step recited in any ofthe following claims is to be understood as referring to all equivalentelements or steps. The following claims are intended to cover theinvention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may beutilized. The invention claimed herein is new and novel in accordancewith 35 U.S.C. § 102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §102. The invention claimed herein is not obvious in accordance with 35U.S.C. § 103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in § 103.This specification and the claims that follow are in accordance with allof the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112. The inventor may rely on theDoctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the scope of theirinvention and of the claims that follow as they may pertain to apparatusnot materially departing from, but outside of, the literal scope of theinvention as set forth in the following claims. Any patent or patentapplication referred to herein is incorporated fully herein for allpurposes.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vibratory separator comprising containerapparatus, screen assembly apparatus removably secured in the containerapparatus, p1 vibratory apparatus connected to the container apparatusfor vibrating the container apparatus and the screen assembly apparatus,the screen assembly apparatus comprising screening material with opposedspaced-apart sides including a first side and a second side, a sidemount on each of the opposed spaced-apart sides, each side of theopposed spaced-apart sides of screening material having an edge portion,each edge portion held within a side mount, seal structure on anexterior of each side mount for sealing a side mount/screen holdingapparatus interface, wherein the screening material comprises aplurality of layers of screening material flexibly connected so that thescreen assembly is foldable, wherein the side mount has a lower partwith a plurality of spaced-apart holes for receiving a correspondingplurality of spaced-apart members which are part of screen mountingapparatus of the vibratory separator, the screening material comprisingat least two layers of screening material including at least a firstlayer and a second layer, the first layer made of metal and comprising afirst metal mesh through which liquid in the fluid is passable andhaving a first metal mesh pattern with an amount of hot melt glue in aglue pattern on the first layer of screening material, the second layeradjacent and in contact with the first layer glued together with thefirst layer by the hot melt glue, the second layer made of metal andcomprising a second metal mesh through which liquid in the fluid ispassable, wherein the glue pattern is different from the first metalmesh pattern, and handling apparatus on the screen assembly apparatusfor facilitating handling of the screen assembly apparatus.
 2. Thevibratory separator of claim 1 wherein the vibratory separator is ashale shaker and the screen assembly's screening material is suitablefor treating drilling fluids.
 3. The vibratory separator of claim 1wherein the seal member includes the handling apparatus.
 4. Thevibratory separator of claim 1 wherein at least one of the side mountsincludes handling apparatus.
 5. A screen assembly for a vibratoryseparator, the screen assembly comprising screening material withopposed spaced-apart sides including a first side and a second side, aside mount on each of the opposed spaced-apart sides, each of the firstside and the second side of the opposed spaced-apart sides having ascreening material edge portion, each screening material edge portionhaving part thereof extending into and held within a corresponding sidemount.
 6. The screen assembly of claim 5 further comprising sealstructure on an exterior of each side mount for sealing a sidemount/screen holding apparatus interface.
 7. The screen assembly ofclaim 6 wherein the seal structure includes a hollow portion.
 8. Thescreen assembly of claim 6 wherein the seal structure is positioned forlocation between the screen assembly and screen assembly mountingstructure of the vibratory separator.
 9. The screen assembly of claim 5wherein the screening material comprises a plurality of layers ofscreening material.
 10. The screen assembly of claim 5 wherein thelayers of screening material are glued together with cured hot meltglue.
 11. The screen assembly of claim 9 wherein the screening materialcomprises a first layer of screening material made of metal andcomprising a first metal mesh through which liquid in the fluid ispassable and having a first metal mesh pattern with an amount of hotmelt glue in a glue pattern on the first layer of screening material, asecond layer of screening material adjacent and in contact with thefirst layer glued together with the first layer by the hot melt glue,the second layer of screening material made of metal and comprising asecond metal mesh through which liquid in the fluid is passable, andwherein the glue pattern is different from the first metal mesh pattern.12. The screen assembly of claim 11 wherein the screening material has alength and a width and the hot melt glue is in continuous lines of glueextending across the length and the width of the screening material. 13.The screen assembly of claim 11 wherein the hot melt glue is in discreteamounts spaced-apart across the screening material.
 14. The screenassembly of claim 13 wherein the hot melt glue is in at least one lineacross the screening material.
 15. The screen assembly of claim 5wherein the side mount has a lower part with a plurality of spaced-apartholes for receiving a corresponding plurality of spaced-apart memberswhich are part of screen mounting apparatus of the vibratory separator.16. The screen assembly of claim 5 wherein the vibratory separator is ashale shaker and the screen assembly's screening material is suitablefor treating drilling fluids.
 17. The screen assembly of claim 5 whereinan edge of the screening material passes between two opposed parts ofthe side mount, said two opposed parts secured together.
 18. The screenassembly of claim 17 wherein the two opposed parts of the side mount arewelded together.
 19. The screen assembly of claim 5 wherein an edge ofthe screening material passes between two first opposed parts of eachside mount and an end of the screening material is secured between twosecond opposed parts of each side mount.
 20. The screen assembly ofclaim 5 wherein each side mount has two spaced-apart openings, saidopenings sealed off with seal material.
 21. The screen assembly of claim5 wherein the screening material is generally flat.
 22. The screenassembly of claim 5 wherein at least part of the screening material incross-section is undulating.
 23. The screen assembly of claim 5 whereinthe screening material comprises material flexible so that the screenassembly is foldable.
 24. The screen assembly of claim 6 wherein theseal structure includes handling structure.
 25. The screen assembly ofclaim 24 wherein the handling structure is T shaped.
 26. The screenassembly of claim 24 wherein the handling structure is at least onehandle.
 27. The screen assembly of claim 24 wherein the handlingstructure is at least one hole through the seal structure.
 28. Thescreen assembly of claim 5 wherein each side mount has an upper inwardlydirected edge.
 29. The screen assembly of claim 28 wherein each sidemount is made of a single piece of material.
 30. The screen assembly ofclaim 5 further comprising at least one rigid handling apparatus formedof or connected to at least one of the side mounts.
 31. A screenassembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly comprisingscreening material with opposed spaced-apart sides including a firstside and a second side, a side mount on each of the opposed spaced-apartsides, each side of the opposed spaced-apart sides of screening materialhaving an edge portion, each edge portion held within a side mount, sealstructure on an exterior of each side mount for sealing a sidemount/screen holding apparatus interface, wherein the screening materialcomprises a plurality of layers of screening material flexibly connectedso that the screen assembly is foldable, and wherein the side mount hasa lower part with a plurality of spaced-apart holes for receiving acorresponding plurality of spaced-apart members which are part of screenmounting apparatus of the vibratory separator.
 32. A screen assembly fora vibratory separator, the screen assembly comprising screening materialwith opposed spaced-apart sides including a first side and a secondside, screen mounting apparatus on each of the opposed spaced-apartsides, each of the first side and the second side of the opposedspaced-apart sides having a screening material edge portion, eachscreening material edge portion having part thereof extending into andheld within a side mount, and the screening material comprising flexiblematerial so that the screen assembly is foldable.
 33. The screenassembly of claim 32 wherein the screening material comprises a firstlayer of screening material made of metal and comprising a first metalmesh through which liquid in the fluid is passable and having a firstmetal mesh pattern with an amount of hot melt glue in a glue pattern onthe first layer of screening material, a second layer of screeningmaterial adjacent and in contact with the first layer glued togetherwith the first layer by the hot melt glue, the second layer of screeningmaterial made of metal and comprising a second metal mesh through whichliquid in the fluid is passable, and wherein the glue pattern isdifferent from the first metal mesh pattern.
 34. The screen assembly ofclaim 33 wherein the screening material has a length and a width and thehot melt glue is in continuous lines of glue extending across the lengthand the width of the screening material.
 35. The screen assembly ofclaim 33 wherein the hot melt glue is in discrete amounts spaced-apartacross the screening material.
 36. The screen assembly of claim 35wherein the hot melt glue is in at least one line across the screeningmaterial.
 37. The screen assembly of claim 32 wherein the screenmounting apparatus comprises hookstrip apparatus.
 38. A mount for ascreen assembly for a vibratory separator, the mount for holdingscreening material of the screen assembly, the mount comprising a bodywith a bottom part, a side part extending up from and connected to thebottom part, a top part connected to the side part, a top lip formed byoverlapping portions of the body, a bottom lip formed by overlappingportions of the top part and bottom part, a space defined between thetop part, the side part, and the bottom part, said space suitable forthe passage therethrough of a portion of screening material, theoverlapping portions of the bottom lip spaced-apart for the passagetherethrough of a portion of the screening material, seal structure onan exterior of each side mount for sealing a side mount/screen holdingapparatus interface, wherein the seal structure is positioned forlocation of at least a portion of the seal structure between the screenassembly and screen assembly mounting structure of the vibratoryseparator.
 39. The mount of claim 38 further comprising the body havingtwo sealed spaced-apart end openings.
 40. The mount of claim 38 whereinthe top lip includes a space therebetween suitable for holding a portionof the screening material.
 41. The mount of claim 38 wherein the sealstructure includes a hollow portion, and the hollow portion ispositioned for location above the top part of the mount.
 42. The mountof claim 38 wherein each side mount has an upper inwardly directed edge.43. The mount of claim 38 wherein the mount is made of a single piece ofmaterial.
 44. The mount of claim 38 further comprising at least onerigid handling apparatus formed of or connected to the body.
 45. A mountfor a screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the mount for holdingscreening material of the screen assembly, the mount comprising a bodywith a bottom part, a side part extending up from and connected to thebottom part, a top part connected to the side part, a top lip formed byoverlapping portions of the body, a bottom lip formed by overlappingportions of the top part and bottom part, a space defined between thetop part, the side part, and the bottom part, said space suitable forthe passage therethrough of a portion of screening material, theoverlapping portions of the bottom lip spaced-apart for the passagetherethrough of a portion of the screening material, seal structure onan exterior of each side mount for sealing a side mount/screen holdingapparatus interface, and handle apparatus formed of the seal structure.46. The mount of claim 45 wherein the handle apparatus comprises atleast one cut out portion of the seal structure.
 47. The mount of claim45 wherein the handle apparatus comprises an upwardly projecting portionof the seal structure formed integrally of or connected to the sealstructure.
 48. The mount of claim 45 further comprising the body havingtwo sealed spaced-apart end openings.
 49. A mount for a screen assemblyfor a vibratory separator, the mount for holding screening material ofthe screen assembly, the mount comprising a body with a bottom part, aside part extending up from and connected to the bottom part, the sidepart made of side part material, a top part connected to the side part,a top lip formed by overlapping portions of the body, a bottom lipformed by overlapping portions of the top part and bottom part, a spacedefined between the top part, the side part, and the bottom part, saidspace suitable for the passage therethrough of a portion of screeningmaterial, the overlapping portions of the bottom lip spaced-apart forthe passage therethrough of a portion of the screening material, andhandle apparatus formed of the side part, the handle apparatus made ofside part material and formed integrally of the side part.
 50. The mountof claim 49 further comprising the body having two sealed spaced-apartend openings.
 51. A mount for a screen assembly for a vibratoryseparator, the mount for holding screening material of the screenassembly, the mount comprising a body with a bottom part and a sidepart, the side part extending up from the bottom part, the body and theside part made of rigid material, handle apparatus on the side part, thehandle apparatus made of rigid material and rigidly connected to orformed integrally of the side part.
 52. The mount of claim 51 whereinthe handle apparatus comprises at least one handle formed of the body.53. The mount of claim 51 wherein the handle apparatus comprises atleast one cut out portion of the body.
 54. The mount of claim 51 whereinthe handle apparatus comprises at least one projection projecting fromthe body.
 55. A method for making a screen assembly for a vibratoryseparator, the method comprising connecting together a plurality oflayers of screening material, securing each of two opposed edge portionsof the screening material within a side mount, each side mountcomprising a bottom part, a side part extending up from and connected tothe bottom part, a top part connected to the side part, a top lip formedby overlapping portions of the body, a bottom lip formed by overlappingportions of the top part and bottom part, a space defined between thetop part, the side part, and the bottom part, said space suitable forthe passage therethrough of screening material, and the overlappingportions of the bottom lip spaced-apart for the passage therethrough ofa portion of the screening material.
 56. The method of claim 55 whereinthe layers of screening material are flexible and are glued togetherwith hot melt glue.
 57. A seal for installation on a screen assembly forsealing a screen-assembly/screen-holder interface in a vibratoryseparator, the seal comprising a body with a portion thereof connectibleto the screen assembly, and handling apparatus on or through the bodyfor facilitating handling of the screen assembly.
 58. Any and everyinvention disclosed herein.